These 17 Throwback Photos Truly Capture ’70s Life in Texas

Written by Alina Wang on June 6, 2025

A man rides a motorcycle down a rural road past a vintage Mobil gas station, where people are gathered near old vehicles. The scene appears to be set in the 1970s.

The 1970s were a time of grit and growth in Texas, where sprawling cities and dusty, small towns didn’t have much in common — except for their can’t-tell-me-nothin’ attitude. Oil money poured into skyscrapers and highways in Houston and Dallas, while honky-tonks and roadside diners kept the state’s blue collar spirit alive.

While parts of the state were still barren, Texas in the ’70s was an era of cowboy hats and pickup trucks, of Friday night lights and long drives down Route 66. The air smelled of gasoline, barbecues, and possibility. Feeling nostalgic? Here are 17 vintage photos that capture what ’70s life was like in the Lone Star State.

1. Two Friends Pose for a Snap in Austin With the Texas State Capitol in the Distance

Two men stand on a wet city sidewalk near a street, with cars driving by and the Texas State Capitol building visible in the distance. Signs for Lone Star and Goodyear are visible on roadside billboards. — AxlCobainVedder

2. Sun, Sweat, and Not a Single Knee Pad or Helmet in Sight: Summertime Fun Rollerblading in Galveston

People roller skating along a busy beachfront sidewalk on a sunny day. Some wear swimsuits and shorts. Cars and shops line the street; one person carries a child while skating. The scene has a vintage, 1970s or 1980s feel. — ghostlyxgigglesx

3. An Overhead View of Downtown Houston in the ’70s

Aerial view of a city downtown dominated by large surface parking lots, scattered mid- and high-rise buildings, and busy streets, with few green spaces visible. — 5_Frog_Margin

4. Few Things Scream Texas Like a Smokehouse, a Row of Dusty Cars, and a Pumpjack Nodding in the Background

Several vintage cars are parked in a grassy lot near a red building labeled "Smokehouse." An oil pumpjack is visible in the background, and other buildings and trees are nearby. The scene appears old and weathered. — CincoDeMayoFan

5. Downtown Fort Worth Bustles With New Store Fronts and Cars

A busy city street in the 1940s with vintage cars, storefronts, and neon signs lining the buildings under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalks. — CincoDeMayoFan

6. Dressed to the Nines and Ready for a Night Out

Black and white photo of well-dressed Black men and women socializing in a lively, crowded diner or club. Some are seated in booths, others at tables, smiling and enjoying drinks. A woman stands in the background. — CincoDeMayoFan

7. Elvis Presley Performs at the Houston Astrodome, 1971

A black-and-white photo shows a male singer in a white jumpsuit performing with a live band and four female backup singers wearing matching outfits and boots on stage. — FeiHung

8. A Group of Cowboys (and Girl) Grab a Bite at a Texas Diner

A group of people wearing hats sit and read in a small, crowded shop filled with various items. Menu boards and products line the walls, while several men gather around a table in the background, engaged in conversation. — CincoDeMayoFan

9. Enjoying a Day at the Beach in Galveston

Crowded beach scene from the 1970s with parked cars, people swimming and sunbathing, umbrellas, and a sign reading "Surfboards for rent Tues-Fri." The shoreline and ocean waves are visible in the background. — CincoDeMayoFan

10. A Float Rolls Through the Heart of Town During a Parade in McConnell

A parade moves through a small town's main street lined with parked vintage cars and spectators. A float decorated with the word "McCONNELL" leads the procession. Crowds watch from both sides of the street on a sunny day. — CincoDeMayoFan

11. A Man and Child Stand Outside Adam’s Food Market on Holly Street in Houston

A vintage black-and-white photo of a small grocery store with hand-painted signs advertising ice, beer, and Nehi orange soda. A man stands outside the entrance, holding a bag near crates and old-fashioned gas pumps. — CincoDeMayoFan

12. ‘Hanging Out in Lake Dallas, 1970s’

Four young women sit on the hood of a vintage car in a grassy outdoor setting. Two face forward, two face away. They wear casual summer outfits with bare feet. Other cars and trees are in the background. — DiosMioMan63

13. People Dressed in Their Sunday Best Get Ready for Church

A group of people, casually dressed, gather and socialize outside a white church building with a sign reading "Church of Christ Meets Here" on a sunny day. — CincoDeMayoFan

14. ‘The Best Honky Tonk North of Abilene: The Lone Star Cafe’

A large iguana statue sits atop the Lone Star Cafe building on a city street corner, with the words "TOO MUCH AIN'T ENOUGH" displayed above the entrance; pedestrians and vehicles are visible nearby. — As_It_Was_NYCHistory

15. High School Cheerleader Team at the Pleasant Grove Stadium in Dallas

Three Black women wearing matching silver outfits and white boots stand on a football field, posing confidently. A scoreboard in the background reads “Dallas ISD - Pleasant Grove Stadium.” — FNaXQ

16. ‘Parade Featuring the Kilgore College Rangerettes, Early 1970s’

A group of cheerleaders in red tops, blue skirts, white boots, and cowboy hats perform a routine in a street parade, while a crowd of bundled-up spectators watches from the sidewalk. — texanwill

17. Announcing the Winner at the ‘Armadillo World Headquarters’ in Austin

Three men stand on an outdoor stage during "Appreciation Week" at the Armadillo, holding prizes and a sombrero. Large painted signs and event details are visible behind them. It appears sunny and festive. — CincoDeMayoFan

Want a peek into other American cities from decades past?

Step Back Into 1990s Los Angeles With These 21 Nostalgic Photos, then head to Michigan with these 22 Vintage Photos of Detroit in the ’60s and ’70s. Finally, be sure to read These 17 Vintage Photos Capture the Grit and Glamour of 1960s NYC.